Refractive grid

Claim 2

A refractive grid for use with a luminaire having a light source, for reducing the distribution of glare light, while promoting the distribution of other light from the source; said grid comprising a network of generally prismatic, refractive screening means, the surfaces of which generally converge into the luminaire, and an array of other refractive elements, each surrounded by such screening means, for passing and lowering lowangle light from the light source and for reflecting, back into the luminaire, high-angle light from the screening means, said other refractive elements being lenses having concave light incident surfaces and convex light emergent surfaces.

Claim 3

The grid according to claim 1, wherein said other refractive elements are generally hexagonal.

Claim 4

A grid as claimed in claim 1 in which a planar light diffusing filter is located on the light incident side of said grid.

Claim 5

A grid as claimed in claim 1, whErein said concave surfaces have a greater radius of curvature than the said convex surfaces.

Claim 6

The grid according to claim 4, wherein said other refractive elements are generally hexagonal.

Claim 7

A refractive grid for use with a luminaire having a light source, for reducing the distribution of high-angle glare light, comprising a plurality of lenses and screening means, adjoining one another as a network, each of said lenses including a concave light incident surface opposite said light source and a convex light emergent surface, whereby said lenses lower relatively high-angle light incident on their light-incident surfaces, so that such light emerges from their light emergent surfaces at smaller angles from nadir, and the screening means comprising means for preventing light, arriving from the light source at extremely high angles from nadir, from directly striking said lenses, said lenses and screening means further comprising means for causing a portion of the down light incident thereon to emerge at wide angles whereby the width of light distribution is increased.

Claim 8

A refractive grid for use with a luminaire having a light source, for reducing the distribution of high-angle glare light, comprising a plurality of lenses and screening means, adjoining one another as a network, each of said lenses including a concave light incident surface opposite said light source and a convex light emergent surface, whereby said lenses lower relatively high-angle light incident on their light-incident surfaces, so that such light emerges from their light emergent surfaces at smaller angles from nadir, and the screening means comprising means for preventing light, arriving from the light source at extremely high angles from nadir, from directly striking said lenses, said lenses and screening means further comprising means for causing a portion of the down light incident thereon to emerge at wide angles whereby the width of light distribution is increased.

Claim 9

A refractive grid for use with a luminaire having a light source, for reducing the distribution of high-angle glare light, comprising a plurality of lenses and screening means, adjoining one another as a network, each of said lenses including a concave light incident surface opposite said light source and a convex light emergent surface, the radius of curvature of the light incident surface of each lens being greater than the radius of curvature of the light emergent surface thereof whereby said lenses lower relatively high-angle light incident on their light-incident surfaces, so that such light emerges from their light emergent surfaces at smaller angles from nadir, and the screening means comprising means for preventing light, arriving from the light source at extremely high angles from nadir, from directly striking said lenses, said lenses and screening means further comprising means for causing a portion of the down light incident thereon to emerge at wide angles whereby the width of light distribution is increased.

Claim 10

A refractive grid for use with a luminaire having a light source, for reducing the distribution of high-angle glare light, comprising a plurality of lenses and screening means, adjoining one another as a network, each of said lenses including a concave light incident surface opposite said light source and a convex light emergent surface, the radius of curvature of the light incident surface of each lens being greater than the radius of curvature of the light emergent surface thereof whereby said lenses lower relatively high-angle light incident on their light-incident surfaces, so that such light emerges from their light emergent surfaces at smaller angles from nadir, and the screening means comprising means for preventing light, arriving from the light source at extremely high angles from nadir, from directly striking said lenses, said lenses and screening means further comprising means for causing a portion of the down light incident thereon to emerge at wide angles whereby the width of light distribution is increased.

Claim 11

A refractive grid for use with a luminaire having a light source, for reducing the distribution of high-angle glare light, comprising a plurality of lenses and screening means, adjoining one another as a network, each of said lenses including a concave light incident surface opposite said light source and a convex light emergent surface, whereby said lenses lower relatively high-angle light incident on their light-incident surfaces, so that such light emerges from their light emergent surfaces at smaller angles from nadir, and the screening means comprising means for preventing light, arriving from the light source at extremely high angles from nadir, from directly striking said lenses, each of said screening having a light incident surface which comprises means for refractively lowering high-angle light incident thereon.

Claim 12

A refractive grid for use with a luminaire having a light source, for reducing the distribution of high-angle glare light, comprising a plurality of lenses and screening means, adjoining one another as a network, each of said lenses including a concave light incident surface opposite said light source and a convex light emergent surface, whereby said lenses lower relatively high-angle light incident on their light-incident surfaces, so that such light emerges from their light emergent surfaces at smaller angles from nadir, and the screening means comprising means for preventing light, arriving from the light source at extremely high angles from nadir, from directly striking said lenses, each of said screening having a light incident surface which comprises means for refractively lowering high-angle light incident thereon.

Claim 13

The refractive grid according to claim 8, wherein said network of lenses is substantially planar.

Claim 14

A grid as claimed in claim 8 in which a planar light diffusing filter is located on the light incident side of said grid.

Claim 15

The refractive grid according to claim 8, wherein said light emergent lens surfaces further comprise means for reflectively redirecting the highest angled light rays which are first refractively lowered by said screening means and which then approximately tangentially, within a lens, pass the light incident surfaces.

Claim 16

The refractive grid according to claim 11, wherein said means for redirecting the light comprises means to cause said highest angled light rays to pass surfaces, in the lens elements, at angles substantially equal to or greater than the critical angle.

Claim 17

A refractive grid for use with a luminaire having a light source, for reducing the distribution of high-angle glare light, comprising a plurality of lenses and screening means, adjoining one another as a network, each of said lenses including A concave light incident surface opposite said light source and a convex light emergent surface, the radius of curvature of the light incident surface of each lens being greater than the radius of curvature of the light emergent surface thereof whereby said lenses lower relatively high-angle light incident on their light-incident surfaces, so that such light emerges from their light emergent surfaces at smaller angles from nadir, and the screening means comprising means for preventing light, arriving from the light source at extremely high angles from nadir, from directly striking said lenses, each of said screening means having a light incident surface which comprises means for refractively lowering high-angle light incident thereon.

Claim 18

A refractive grid for use with a luminaire having a light source, for reducing the distribution of high-angle glare light, comprising a plurality of lenses and screening means, adjoining one another as a network, each of said lenses including A concave light incident surface opposite said light source and a convex light emergent surface, the radius of curvature of the light incident surface of each lens being greater than the radius of curvature of the light emergent surface thereof whereby said lenses lower relatively high-angle light incident on their light-incident surfaces, so that such light emerges from their light emergent surfaces at smaller angles from nadir, and the screening means comprising means for preventing light, arriving from the light source at extremely high angles from nadir, from directly striking said lenses, each of said screening means having a light incident surface which comprises means for refractively lowering high-angle light incident thereon.

Claim 19

The refractive grid according to claim 13, wherein said network of lenses is substantially planar.

Claim 20

A grid as claimed in claim 13 in which a planar light diffusing filter is located on the light incident side of said grid.

Claim 21

The refractive grid according to claim 13, wherein said light emergent lens surfaces further comprise means for reflectively redirecting the highest angled light rays which are first refractively lowered by said screening means and which then approximately tangentially, within a lens, pass the light incident surfaces.

Claim 22

The refractive grid according to claim 16, wherein said means for redirecting the light comprises means to cause said highest angled light rays to pass surfaces, in the lens elements, at angles substantially equal to or greater tan the critical angle.

Claim 23

A refractive grid for use with a luminaire having a light source, for reducing the distribution of high-angle glare light, comprising a plurality of lenses and screening means, adjoining one another as a network, each of said lenses including a concave light incident surface opposite said light source and a convex light emergent surface, said concave light incident surfaces having uppermost extensions comprising said screening means, whereby said lenses lower relatively high-angle light incident on their light-incident surfaces, so that such light emerges from their light emergent surfaces at smaller angles from nadir, and the screening means comprising means for preventing light, arriving from the light source at extremely high angles from nadir, from directly striking said lenses.

Claim 24

A refractive grid for use with a luminaire having a light source, for reducing the distribution of high-angle glare light, comprising a plurality of lenses and screening means, adjoining one another as a network, each of said lenses including a concave light incident surface opposite said light source and a convex light emergent surface, said concave light incident surfaces having uppermost extensions comprising said screening means, whereby said lenses lower relatively high-angle light incident on their light-incident surfaces, so that such light emerges from their light emergent surfaces at smaller angles from nadir, and the screening means comprising means for preventing light, arriving from the light source at extremely high angles from nadir, from directly striking said lenses.

Claim 25

A refractive grid for use with a luminaire having a light source, for reducing the distribution of high-angle glare light, comprising a plurality of lenses and screening means, adjoining one another as a network, each of said lenses including a concave light incident surface opposite said light source and a convex light emergent surface, said concave light incident surfaces having uppermost extensions comprising said screening means, the radius of curvature of the light incident surface of each lens being greater than the radius of curvature of the light emergent surface thereof whereby said lenses lower relatively high-angle light incident on their light-incident surfaces, so that such light emerges from their light emergent surfaces at smaller angles from nadir, and the screening means comprising means for preventing light, arriving from the light source at extremely high angles from nadir, from directly striking said lenses.

Claim 26

A refractive grid for use with a luminaire having a light source, for reducing the distribution of high-angle glare light, comprising a plurality of lenses and screening means, adjoining one another as a network, each of said lenses including a concave light incident surface opposite said light source and a convex light emergent surface, said concave light incident surfaces having uppermost extensions comprising said screening means, the radius of curvature of the light incident surface of each lens being greater than the radius of curvature of the light emergent surface thereof whereby said lenses lower relatively high-angle light incident on their light-incident surfaces, so that such light emerges from their light emergent surfaces at smaller angles from nadir, and the screening means comprising means for preventing light, arriving from the light source at extremely high angles from nadir, from directly striking said lenses.

Claim 27

A refractive grid for use with a luminaire having a light source, for reducing the distribution of high-angle glare light, comprising a plurality of lenses and screening means, adjoining one another as a hexagonal network, each of said lenses including a concave light incident surface opposite said light source and a convex light emergent surface, each of said light incident surfaces having an uppermost extension defining a circle, whereby said lenses lower relatively high-angle light incident on their light-incident surfaces, so that such light emerges from their light emergent surfaces at smaller angles from nadir, and the screening means comprising means for preventing light, arriving from the light source at extRemely high angles from nadir, from directly striking said lenses.

Claim 28

A refractive grid for use with a luminaire having a light source, for reducing the distribution of high-angle glare light, comprising a plurality of lenses and screening means, adjoining one another as a hexagonal network, each of said lenses including a concave light incident surface opposite said light source and a convex light emergent surface, each of said light incident surfaces having an uppermost extension defining a circle, whereby said lenses lower relatively high-angle light incident on their light-incident surfaces, so that such light emerges from their light emergent surfaces at smaller angles from nadir, and the screening means comprising means for preventing light, arriving from the light source at extRemely high angles from nadir, from directly striking said lenses.

Claim 29

A refractive grid for use with a luminaire having a light source, for reducing the distribution of high-angle glare light, comprising a plurality of lenses and screening means, adjoining one another as a hexagonal network, each of said lenses including a concave light incident surface opposite said light source and a convex light emergent surface, each of said light incident surfaces having an uppermost extension defining a circle, the radius of curvature of the light incident surface of each lens being greater than the radius of curvature of the light emergent surface thereof whereby said lenses lower relatively high-angle light incident on their light-incident surfaces, so that such light emerges from their light emergent surfaces at smaller angles from nadir, and the screening means comprising means for preventing light, arriving from the light source at extremely high angles from nadir, from directly striking said lenses.

Claim 30

A refractive grid for use with a luminaire having a light source, for reducing the distribution of high-angle glare light, comprising a plurality of lenses and screening means, adjoining one another as a hexagonal network, each of said lenses including a concave light incident surface opposite said light source and a convex light emergent surface, each of said light incident surfaces having an uppermost extension defining a circle, the radius of curvature of the light incident surface of each lens being greater than the radius of curvature of the light emergent surface thereof whereby said lenses lower relatively high-angle light incident on their light-incident surfaces, so that such light emerges from their light emergent surfaces at smaller angles from nadir, and the screening means comprising means for preventing light, arriving from the light source at extremely high angles from nadir, from directly striking said lenses.

Claim 31

A refractive grid for use with a luminaire having a light source, for reducing the distribution of high-angle glare light, comprising a plurality of lenses and screening means, adjoining one another as a network, each of said lenses including a concave light incident surface opposite said light source and a convex light emergent surface, said light incident surfaces having uppermost extensions and said screening means comprising generally prismatic means extending upwardly from said extensions, whereby said lenses lower relatively high-angle light incident on their light-incident surfaces, so that such light emerges from their light emergent surfaces at smaller angles from nadir, and the screening means comprising means for preventing light, arriving from the light source at extremely high angles from nadir, from directly striking said lenses.

Claim 32

A refractive grid for use with a luminaire having a light source, for reducing the distribution of high-angle glare light, comprising a plurality of lenses and screening means, adjoining one another as a network, each of said lenses including a concave light incident surface opposite said light source and a convex light emergent surface, said light incident surfaces having uppermost extensions and said screening means comprising generally prismatic means extending upwardly from said extensions, whereby said lenses lower relatively high-angle light incident on their light-incident surfaces, so that such light emerges from their light emergent surfaces at smaller angles from nadir, and the screening means comprising means for preventing light, arriving from the light source at extremely high angles from nadir, from directly striking said lenses.

Claim 33

A refractive grid for use with a luminaire having a light source, for reducing the distribution of high-angle glare light, comprising a plurality of lenses and screening means, adjoining one another as a network, each of said lenses including a concave light incident surface opposite said light source and a convex light emergent surface, said light incident surfaces having uppermost extensions and said screening means comprising generally prismatic means extending upwardly from said extensions, the radius of curvature of the light incident surface of each lens being greater than the radius of curvature of the light emergent surface thereof whereby said lenses lower relatively high-angle light incident on their light-incident surfaces, so that such light emerges from their light emergent surfaces at smaller angles from nadir, and the screening means comprising means for preventing light, arriving from the light source at extremely high angles from nadir, from directly striking said lenses.

Claim 34

A refractive grid for use with a luminaire having a light source, for reducing the distribution of high-angle glare light, comprising a plurality of lenses and screening means, adjoining one another as a network, each of said lenses including a concave light incident surface opposite said light source and a convex light emergent surface, said light incident surfaces having uppermost extensions and said screening means comprising generally prismatic means extending upwardly from said extensions, the radius of curvature of the light incident surface of each lens being greater than the radius of curvature of the light emergent surface thereof whereby said lenses lower relatively high-angle light incident on their light-incident surfaces, so that such light emerges from their light emergent surfaces at smaller angles from nadir, and the screening means comprising means for preventing light, arriving from the light source at extremely high angles from nadir, from directly striking said lenses.

Claim 35

A refractive grid for use with a luminaire having a light source, for reducing the distribution of high-angle glare light, comprising a plurality of lenses and screening means, adjoining one another as a network, each of said lenses including a concave light incident surface opposite said light source and a convex light emergent surface, whereby said lenses lower relatively high-angle light incident on their light-incident surfaces, so that such light emerges from their light emergent surfaces at smaller angles from nadir, and the screening means comprising means for preventing light, arriving from the light source at extremely high angles from nadir, from directly striking said lenses, said screening means further comprising means for internally reflectively lowering high angle light refracted thereby, whereby said lowered light will be further lowered.

Claim 36

A refractive grid for use with a luminaire having a light source, for reducing the distribution of high-angle glare light, comprising a plurality of lenses and screening means, adjoining one another as a network, each of said lenses including a concave light incident surface opposite said light source and a convex light emergent surface, whereby said lenses lower relatively high-angle light incident on their light-incident surfaces, so that such light emerges from their light emergent surfaces at smaller angles from nadir, and the screening means comprising means for preventing light, arriving from the light source at extremely high angles from nadir, from directly striking said lenses, said screening means further comprising means for internally reflectively lowering high angle light refracted thereby, whereby said lowered light will be further lowered.

Claim 37

A refractive grid for use with a luminaire having a light source, for reducing the distribution of high-angle glare light, comprising a plurality of lenses and screening means, adjoining one another as a network, each of said lenses including a concave light incident surfaCe opposite said light source and a convex light emergent surface, the radius of curvature of the light incident surface of each lens being greater than the radius of curvature of the light emergent surface thereof whereby said lenses lower relatively high-angle light incident on their light-incident surfaces, so that such light emerges from their light emergent surfaces at smaller angles from nadir, and the screening means comprising means for preventing light, arriving from the light source at extremely high angles from nadir, from directly striking said lenses, said screening means further comprising means internally reflectively lowering high-angle light refracted thereby, whereby said lowered light will be further lowered.

Claim 38

A refractive grid for use with a luminaire having a light source, for reducing the distribution of high-angle glare light, comprising a plurality of lenses and screening means, adjoining one another as a network, each of said lenses including a concave light incident surfaCe opposite said light source and a convex light emergent surface, the radius of curvature of the light incident surface of each lens being greater than the radius of curvature of the light emergent surface thereof whereby said lenses lower relatively high-angle light incident on their light-incident surfaces, so that such light emerges from their light emergent surfaces at smaller angles from nadir, and the screening means comprising means for preventing light, arriving from the light source at extremely high angles from nadir, from directly striking said lenses, said screening means further comprising means internally reflectively lowering high-angle light refracted thereby, whereby said lowered light will be further lowered.

Claim 39

A refractive grid for use with a luminaire having a light source, for reducing the distribution of high-angle glare light, comprising a plurality of lenses and screening means, adjoining one another as a network, each of said lenses including a concave light incident surface opposite said light source and a convex light emergent surface, said light incident surfaces and said light emergent surfaces having uppermost extensions, whereby said lenses lower relatively high-angle light incident on their light-incident surfaces, so that such light emerges from their light emergent surfaces at smaller angles from nadir, and the screening means comprising means for preventing light, arriving from the light source at extremely high angles from nadir, from directly striking said lenses, said grid further including interstice elements which comprise means for joining the uppermost extensions of said light incident surfaces and of said light emergent surfaces at points where said adjoining lenses do not directly adjoin one another.

Claim 40

A refractive grid for use with a luminaire having a light source, for reducing the distribution of high-angle glare light, comprising a plurality of lenses and screening means, adjoining one another as a network, each of said lenses including a concave light incident surface opposite said light source and a convex light emergent surface, said light incident surfaces and said light emergent surfaces having uppermost extensions, whereby said lenses lower relatively high-angle light incident on their light-incident surfaces, so that such light emerges from their light emergent surfaces at smaller angles from nadir, and the screening means comprising means for preventing light, arriving from the light source at extremely high angles from nadir, from directly striking said lenses, said grid further including interstice elements which comprise means for joining the uppermost extensions of said light incident surfaces and of said light emergent surfaces at points where said adjoining lenses do not directly adjoin one another.

Claim 41

The refractive grid according to claim 26, wherein said interstice elements are substantially planar.

Claim 42

A refractive grid for use with a luminaire having a light source, for reducing the distribution of high-angle glare light, comprising a plurality of lenses and screening means, adjoining one another as a network, each of said lenses including a concave light incident surface opposite said light source and a convex light emergent surface, said light incident surfaces and said light emergent surfaces having uppermost extensions, the radius of curvature of the light incident surface of each lens being greater than the radius of curvature of the light emergent surface thereof whereby said lenses lower relatively high-angle light incident on their light-incident surfaces, so that such light emerges from their light emergent surfaces at smaller angles from nadir, and the screening means comprising means for preventing light, arriving from the light source at extremely high angles from nadir, from directly striking said lenses, said grid further including interstice elements which comprise means for joining the uppermost extensions of said light incident surfaces and of said light emergent surfaces at points where said adjoining lenses do not directly adjoin one another.

Claim 43

A refractive grid for use with a luminaire having a light source, for reducing the distribution of high-angle glare light, comprising a plurality of lenses and screening means, adjoining one another as a network, each of said lenses including a concave light incident surface opposite said light source and a convex light emergent surface, said light incident surfaces and said light emergent surfaces having uppermost extensions, the radius of curvature of the light incident surface of each lens being greater than the radius of curvature of the light emergent surface thereof whereby said lenses lower relatively high-angle light incident on their light-incident surfaces, so that such light emerges from their light emergent surfaces at smaller angles from nadir, and the screening means comprising means for preventing light, arriving from the light source at extremely high angles from nadir, from directly striking said lenses, said grid further including interstice elements which comprise means for joining the uppermost extensions of said light incident surfaces and of said light emergent surfaces at points where said adjoining lenses do not directly adjoin one another.

Claim 44

The refractive grid according to claim 28, wherein said interstice elements are substantially planar.

Claim 45

A refractive grid for use with a luminaire having a light source, for reducing the distribution of high-angle glare light, comprising a plurality of lenses and screening means, adjoining one another as a network, each of said lenses including a concave light incident surface opposite said light source and a convex light emergent surface, said screening means comprising peak means which have, in a vertical plane, convex light incident surfaces, whereby said lenses lower relatively high-angle light incident on their light-incident surfaces, so that such light emerges from their light emergent surfaces at smaller angles from nadir, and the screening means comprising means for preventing light, arriving from the light source at extremely high angles from nadir, from directly striking said lenses.

Claim 46

A refractive grid for use with a luminaire having a light source, for reducing the distribution of high-angle glare light, comprising a plurality of lenses and screening means, adjoining one another as a network, each of said lenses including a concave light incident surface opposite said light source and a convex light emergent surface, said screening means comprising peak means which have, in a vertical plane, convex light incident surfaces, whereby said lenses lower relatively high-angle light incident on their light-incident surfaces, so that such light emerges from their light emergent surfaces at smaller angles from nadir, and the screening means comprising means for preventing light, arriving from the light source at extremely high angles from nadir, from directly striking said lenses.

Claim 47

A refractive grid for use with a lumInaire having a light source, for reducing the distribution of high-angle glare light, comprising a plurality of lenses and screening means, adjoining one another as a network, each of said lenses including a concave light incident surface opposite said light source and a convex light emergent surface, said screening means comprising peak means which have, in a vertical plane, convex light incident surfaces, the radius of curvature of the light incident surface of each lens being greater than the radius of curvature of the light emergent surface thereof whereby said lenses lower relatively high-angle light incident on their light-incident surfaces, so that such light emerges from their light emergent surfaces at smaller angles from nadir, and the screening means comprising means for preventing light, arriving from the light source at extremely high angles from nadir, from directly striking said lenses.

Claim 48

A refractive grid for use with a lumInaire having a light source, for reducing the distribution of high-angle glare light, comprising a plurality of lenses and screening means, adjoining one another as a network, each of said lenses including a concave light incident surface opposite said light source and a convex light emergent surface, said screening means comprising peak means which have, in a vertical plane, convex light incident surfaces, the radius of curvature of the light incident surface of each lens being greater than the radius of curvature of the light emergent surface thereof whereby said lenses lower relatively high-angle light incident on their light-incident surfaces, so that such light emerges from their light emergent surfaces at smaller angles from nadir, and the screening means comprising means for preventing light, arriving from the light source at extremely high angles from nadir, from directly striking said lenses.